Showing posts with label Abhishek Jain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abhishek Jain. Show all posts
Wrong to say audience’s viewing patterns have changed only due to OTT-Supriya Pathak
9:29 AM
Soumitra Das (BOMBAY TIMES; June 3, 2025)
Supriya Pathak, who impressed audiences with her performance in the recent Gujarati film Auntypreneur, says that “it is a great time for Gujarati and other regional films.” The veteran actress, who has done Gujarati films like Kehvatlal Parivar (2022) and Carry On Kesar (2017), was in Ahmedabad recently.
She shares, “Be it Gujarati cinema or other regional films, I feel they are offering more interesting stories as compared to Hindi cinema. In Gujarati films, young directors are willing to explore new genres and I like their way of working, as they are very flexible and open to experimentation. They know their craft well.”
‘I get attracted to stories that have a fun element’
In Auntypreneur, Pathak played a 65-year-old woman (Jasuben) who teams up with other homemakers to claim their financial independence and save their housing society from demolition. She shares, “The film was offered to me long back and while I found the story interesting, the project got delayed due to COVID. Today, there is so much tragedy all around us. I get attracted to stories that have a fun element. This film had a beautiful message that was narrated in a fun way.”
She adds, “It was great to work with Abhishek Jain (director and producer) and Pratik Rajen Kothari (director of Auntypreneur). Pratik is very talented, sincere, and focused. I have also known Abhishek since the days of Bey Yaar (2014) and we always wanted to work together. I feel he has played a big role in the revival of Gujarati cinema and I loved all his films. It’s always great to collaborate with intelligent people who want to do good work. However, it’s still a bit of a battle to get audiences to theatres to watch Gujarati films. The industry needs more support from the audience.”
‘Wrong to say audience’s viewing patterns have changed only due to OTT’
Pathak, who has done OTT projects like Tabbar, Home Shanti and Cartel, says, “It’s wrong to say audience’s viewing patterns have changed only due to OTT.” She feels, “It’s got more to do with very little concentration level, as people are constantly on Instagram and checking their smartphones. If you are scrolling mindlessly all the time, it becomes difficult to engage with a story.”
Many viewers complain about an overdose of thrillers on OTT platforms. Asked about it, she says, “I feel all the mediums (OTT, TV and theatres) can complement each other. If the content is similar on all platforms, then what’s the point? Every medium should have its unique content. I want to see more interesting stories on OTT.”
‘It’s important to let your kids make their own decisions’
Talking about her actress-daughter Sanah Kapur, Pathak says, “Today, kids are well-informed and capable individuals. As parents, it’s important to let your kids make their own decisions. Even if they falter initially, they will learn from it. I am always there for Sanah, but I don’t think there is any need to constantly guide her.”
She adds, “We share a great bond. In recent times, she has tried to convince me to join Instagram, but I have said no. For me, it’s (joining Instagram) too much pressure (laughs)!”
‘I love the vibe of Ahmedabad’
While shooting for Kehvatlal Parivar, I stayed in Ahmedabad for a long duration. I love the vibe of the city. It’s really unique because while it has the buzz of a big city, Ahmedabad has still retained a unique charm that you usually find in small towns. The city has a nice pace to it, and I love the food here.
The dynamics of family have changed, and empathy has increased-Abhishek Jain
8:27 AM
Hum Do Humare Do director hopes to redefine concept of family with Raj-Kriti starrer that revolves around a man adopting parents
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 11, 2021)
After Mimi initiated a dialogue about surrogacy earlier this year, Kriti Sanon and producer Dinesh Vijan have teamed up to serve another novel story with Hum Do Humare Do. The Abhishek Jain-directed film sees leading man Rajkummar Rao adopting parents to charm his ladylove, essayed by Sanon. The director hopes to reassess the concept of family from a modern prism. While the much-loved Modern Family has normalised the different kinds of family units, Jain says his story is rooted in the Indian ethos.
“Coming from a city like Ahmedabad, we had a culture of thronging cinemas in large numbers and watching films together. In the past year-and-a-half, due to lockdown-borne anxiety, people have realised the value of family time. The other set of people who have migrated to the metros or don’t live around loved ones, realised that families don’t necessarily consist of blood relations,” says the writer-director, emphasising that the idea of what constitutes a family has undergone a shift during the pandemic.
“The dynamics of family have changed, and empathy has increased. This film is contextually taking that same idea forward. Family is not always made of blood relations, but [built on] affection and empathy.”
The Disney+ Hotstar offering features Paresh Rawal and Ratna Pathak Shah in supporting roles. Producer Vijan says the movie — like his previous productions that tackle serious subjects with a generous dose of humour — takes an out-of-the-box look at adoption.
He says, “We trust the power of content-driven films. While Mimi was a delightful family entertainer, we are taking the essence of family further with this film.”
In Mimi, I am giving birth to a child, and in my next film with Rajkummar Rao, we are adopting parents-Kriti Sanon
8:06 AM
Kriti Sanon says yet-untitled next with Rajkummar Rao, which sees them adopt an older couple as parents, has a strong message at its core
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; August 5, 2021)
With Mimi behind her, Kriti Sanon has an enviable line-up of films that includes magnum opus 'Adipurush', horror-comedy 'Bhediya' and Akshay Kumar’s 'Bachchan Pandey'. It is, however, the yet-untitled comedy with Rajkummar Rao that has her heart. “In Mimi, I am giving birth to a child, and in this one, we are adopting parents,” laughs the actor.
The slice-of-life film revolves around a couple who feel a void in their lives in the absence of their parents. The duo adopt an older couple, essayed by Paresh Rawal and Ratna Pathak Shah, leading to hilarious results. If her recent offering shone a spotlight on surrogacy, Sanon notes that Abhishek Jain’s directorial venture too has a social message at its crux.
“As an actor, I feel proud to explore different [subjects]. It’s a wonderful slice-of-life family drama with a beautiful message that has been treated in a light manner.”
While the project was to originally roll in March 2020, it went on floors in Chandigarh only last October due to the pandemic. Sharing screen space with the senior artistes was a learning experience for the actor, who says, “This was my first project with Ratna ma’am and Paresh sir. There is so much to learn from them; they enhance our performance.”
Rajkummar Rao to march ahead with Chupke Chupke remake in 2021
8:18 AM
Meanwhile, actor resumes work with a family-comedy this Friday onwards; is sticking to a 60-day per film policy as he juggles four projects, including Junglee Pictures’ Badhaai Do
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 27, 2020)
Rajkummar Rao is gearing up for a blast this Diwali with Anurag Basu’s Ludo, which sees him play a film buff and a huge Mithun Chakraborty fan. The actor has also wrapped up shoot of Hardik Mehta’s horror-comedy, Roohi Afzana, featuring Janhvi Kapoor, which will be a part of the horror universe started with the Shraddha Kapoor-fronted Stree.
Meanwhile, Raj is all set to kick off a new film this Friday in Chandigarh. The yet-untitled film, which marks the Hindi debut of Gujarati director Abhishek Jain, has Raj and Kriti Sanon as orphans who decide to adopt parents. The rest of the film is about how the older couple, Paresh Rawal and Dimple Kapadia, almost end up destroying their married life. “He flies to Chandigarh today with the entire team. It’s a marathon schedule, to be shot at real locations, and will continue till the year-end,” informs a source close to the development. However, Raj will ensure that he brings in Christmas and New Year with Patralekhaa, an annual ritual for the couple.
He will flag off the new year with Junglee Pictures’ Badhaai Do which will take forward the Badhaai Ho franchise. With Harshavardhan Kulkarni at the helm, this film too will be shot up North, with him as a tough cop and Bhumi Pednekar as a PT teacher who aspires to represent team India in handball. “That film is currently in prep, and, for now, Raj is following a 60-day per film policy,” adds the source.
Come March, and Raj steps into Dharmendra’s shoes in the remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1975 cult comedy Chupke Chupke. “The script is undergoing some rewrites as the makers are determined to do justice to the original. They are also in talks with several actors for the role of Sukumar, professor of English masquerading as Parimal and trying to teach botany, enacted by Amitabh Bachchan in the original. The cast should be locked by December,” shares a source, adding that it will be majorly shot indoors in a studio.
After a string of comedies, Raj will spin an investigative thriller franchise with the first film being a remake of the Telugu film Hit, with the original director, Dr Sailesh Kolanu. “It’s currently being adapted and they are hoping to roll by April end or early May with a start-to-finish schedule, calling it a wrap by the end of June,” the source concludes.
Kriti Sanon and Rajkummar Rao-starrer titled Second Innings
8:03 AM
Kriti Sanon, Rajkummar Rao and team zero in on Second Innings for film's title even as they wait to take comedy on floors
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; April 27, 2020)
The lockdown may have played havoc with the schedule of their next, but Rajkummar Rao and Kriti Sanon are seeking comfort in the small progress they have made. For months, the team had been on the hunt for a suitable title for the comedy that also features Paresh Rawal and Dimple Kapadia. Now, the makers have finally christened it Second Innings. "The title fits our story seamlessly," says director Abhishek Jain about his maiden Hindi venture.The production house has previously tackled diverse social issues with their offerings Bala (2019), Luka Chuppi (2019) and the recent Angrezi Medium. Second Innings explores the idea of adopting parents through Rao and Sanon's characters, who feel a vacuum in their lives and decide to bring an older couple home to complete the family.
"We were supposed to begin shooting in Delhi in March, but now everything has been pushed due to the Coronavirus pandemic," says Jain, indicating that the schedules will have to reworked when normalcy returns.
Now, the struggle is to get back into shape and have a great body again-Kriti Sanon
7:47 AM
After putting on 15 kg to play a surrogate mother in her next, which wrapped up recently, Kriti Sanon goes on a diet for the first time
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 17, 2020)
On March 5, Kriti Sanon wrapped up Dinesh Vijan’s Mimi, an official adaptation of the 2011 National Award-winning Marathi film, Mala Aai Vhhaychy. In the Laxman Utekar directorial, the 29-yearold plays an aspiring actress who, because of certain circumstances, ends up becoming a surrogate mother. The story is set in the town of Mandawa in Rajasthan.One of the requirements of the role was that she put on 15 kg. “I didn’t think I would be able to do this because I have always been skinny. In fact, I can eat everything, from pizza to pasta and dal makhani because I’m blessed with good metabolism. I hope I haven’t lost that because of this film,” she laughs, admitting that she had to increase her appetite gradually because she is easily satiated by small portions. “But there were days when I had to eat even when I was stuffed. So, when I see the difference all that effort made to my character on screen, I feel satisfied today,” she smiles.
She shot the heavier portions first, leaving the early portions, when she is slim, and a song, for later. “Now, the struggle is to get back into shape and have a great body again. Knocking off extra calories can be pretty tedious,” sighs the actress who, for the first time, is on a diet. “I hadn’t even worked out for the past few months, so even my mobility was down.”
Next up, is another film with Dinesh. The Abhishek Jain directorial chronicles the tale of a couple, both of them orphans, who decide to adopt parents. “Mimi’s last schedule was intense and hectic, so I’m looking forward to this crazy comedy. The timing is perfect and I’m excited to team up with Raj (Rajkummar Rao) after Bareilly Ki Barfi and also work with great actors like Paresh Rawal sir and Dimple (Kapadia) ma’am,” Kriti signs off.
Rajkummar Rao and Kriti Sanon adopt Dimple Kapadia and Paresh Rawal in Dinesh Vijan's next
8:21 AM
That’s the concept of Dinesh Vijan’s next, a crazy comedy also featuring Dimple Kapadia and Paresh Rawal; film rolls next month in Delhi
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 19, 2020)
It’s difficult at times to live with your parents… And unbearable to live without them. That is why, in Dinesh Vijan’s yet-untitled situational comedy, Rajkummar Rao, who, like his lady love is an orphan, decides to adopt parents. He brings an older couple home and they almost end up destroying his life and marriage. The film also features the National Award-winning duo of Paresh Rawal and Dimple Kapadia. Dinesh points out that they have woven entertaining storylines around real-life issues like the torments of premature balding for an otherwise eligible bachelor (Bala), the consequences of covertly enjoying a live-in relationship before marriage for a small-town couple (Luka Chuppi) and the trials of a parent wanting to give his child the best education in Hindi Medium and the upcoming Angrezi Medium.“This innovative idea also came from real life though it is not inspired by any incident in particular. We have spun it into a crazy comedy with our unique tadka,” informs the filmmaker, going on to recount that he was in talks with Raj and Kriti for another film. “That project wasn’t working out, so, one day, over a cup of coffee, I sketched out this idea to them and they jumped at it. Raj and Kriti came on board even before the script was written.”
The filmmaker points out that despite his intense portrayals in films like Shahid, Citylights and Trapped, Raj has exceptional comic timing. “You saw it in Stree, you will see it in our upcoming horror comedy, Roohi Afzana, and in this one as well. Kriti also had you laughing in Bareilly Ki Barfi, Luka Chuppi and Housefull 4,” points out Dinesh, equally gung-ho about Paresh and Dimple, who will not only get to showcase their histrionics in author-backed roles, but also get the opportunity to tickle our funny bone.
The film will mark the Hindi film debut of 28-year-old Gujarati director Abhishek Jain, who has assisted Ram Madhvani in ad campaigns, Subhash Ghai on Yuvvraaj and Black & White and was associated with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Chenab Gandhi and Guzaarish. Abhishek then turned director himself with Kevi Rite Jaish, a breakthrough Gujarati film which enjoyed a record 100-day run. His next, Bey Yaar, was the first Gujarati film to release internationally in 12 countries. “It’s always been our policy to back new directors, be it Amar Kaushik who gave us Stree and Bala, Laxman Utekar who came good with Luka Chuppi and is currently directing Mimi, and Hardik Mehta who will keep you engaged in Roohi Afzana. With Abhishek at the helm, we are looking forward to a roller-coaster ride that children and parents can watch together,” asserts Dinesh. The film goes on the floors in Delhi in mid-March. It is targeting a year-end release.
Kartik Aaryan bows out of Kirik Party remix over creative disagreements?
8:51 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 6, 2019)
There has been little progress on the Kirik Party remake in the six months since Kartik Aaryan confirmed being part of the college campus drama. While industry insiders insist that the Jacqueline Fernandez-starrer - after facing several hurdles - is set to go on floors next month, mid-day has learnt that Aaryan has apparently bowed out of the project over creative disagreements.
A source reveals, "Directed by Abhishek Jain, the film was to roll last October. However, the script had to be sent back to the writing table as most people on board felt that the adaptation failed to capture the humour and charm that made the original Kannada film such a success."
While the film's reworked draft is ready and has been given the go-ahead by the makers, Aaryan apparently had his reservations about the material.
"Kartik wasn't sold on the revised screenplay. A few weeks ago, he had a meeting with the producers and expressed his doubts. Also, since he has allotted bulk dates in May to Imtiaz Ali's Aaj Kal, the date clash was posing another problem. So, he decided to exit the project. The makers are currently scouting for a new lead."
Aaryan's spokesperson refused to comment on the story.
Kartik Aaryan, Jacqueline Fernandez paired in the Hindi remake of Kannada hit, Kirik Party
8:15 AM
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 4, 2018)
After Remo D’Souza’s action thriller Race 3 in which she was paired opposite Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez has given her nod to the Hindi remake of the 2016 Kannada hit Kirik Party. The as-yet-untitled film features Kartik Aaryan as the male lead and is being produced by Ajay Kapoor, Dheeraj Wadhawan and Vrithika Laykar. A romance set in the college campus, will roll in October.
“Jacqueline really liked the script and gave her nod to the film. She even did a look test recently. They will begin workshops and readings soon,” informs a source close to the development.
Ajay (left)
confirmed the news, saying, “We are excited to have Jacqueline on board
as she is someone the youth relates to and has an amazing screen
presence. This is the first time Jacqueline and Kartik have been cast
together and we are confident that the audience will enjoy watching this
fresh pair.”
The original film featuring Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, was one of the highest grossing Kannada films of all time, enjoying a 150-day run in many theatres.
It revolved around a gang of mischievous kid, led by Karna, a first-year engineering student, who falls in love with Saanvi, a final-year student. The love story does not end there. Post interval, a first-year student, Arya, played by Samyuktha Hegde, is drawn to Karna who is now in his final year.
The film was remade in Telugu as Kirrak Party, featuring Nikhil Siddharth, Simran Pareenja and Samyuktha. The Hindi version will mark the Bollywood debut of director Abhishek Jain whose Wrong Side Raju bagged the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati at the 64th National Film Awards. Abhishek had earlier even assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Guzaarish and Subhash Ghai on Yuvvraaj.
Interestingly, Kartik and Jacqueline were both in Budapest earlier this month to shoot for a commercial. Excited about the film the 33-year-old actress told Mirror, “It’s a great script with blockbuster music. I look forward to working with Kartik and Abhishek for the first time. This role is really special.”
Kartik is presently shooting for Dinesh Vijan’s Luka Chuppi with Kriti Sanon.
Kartik Aaryan roped in for the Hindi remake of Kirik Party
8:12 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (July 18, 2018)
Kannada blockbuster Kirik Party’s (2016) Hindi remake will see producer Ajay Kapoor of Kyta Productions joining hands with Kartik Aaryan, who made a mark with his last hit, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018). The Hindi remake is a coming of age, romantic film, which showcases how friendship and love can turn a boy into a compassionate man. The film also promises chartbuster music. Kirik Party was one of the highest grossing Kannada films, which ran in cinemas for an impressive 150 days. For the Hindi version, the producers have roped in National Award-winning director Abhishek Jain, who won the award for the Best Feature Film in Gujarati for Wrong Side Raju (2016). He has also directed the Gujarati hit, Bey Yaar (2014).
Confirming the news, producer Ajay Kapoor says, “We are excited to have Kartik Aaryan on board, as he has a connect with today’s youth. We felt only he could bring this well-etched character alive on the big screen. Kyta Productions is also happy to introduce a talented filmmaker like Abhishek Jain for this project. We will start filming in October and release next year.” Post the success of Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018), the production house has announced RAW (Romeo Akbar Walter), which stars John Abraham, and Vishal Bhardwaj’s directorial Pataakha, along with several other exciting projects that are in the pipeline.
The Hindi remake of Kirik Party will be produced by Dheeraj Wadhawan, Ajay Kapoor of Kyta Productions and Vrithika Laykar.
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